The antique Thunderbird parked outside on my street right now will run, approximately, forever. Unlike my Honda Civic Hybrid, which will be in the scrapheap before my baby daughter hits college. Why? Because the gadgetization of cars is ruining them.

A key auto quality study found that new or redesigned 2011 models were less reliable than the previous year's line, much of it because of new high-tech navigation systems that didn't work properly.

J.D. Power found that overall auto quality dropped in 2011, especially among American-made vehicles, largely due to the onboard electronics like in-dash touchscreen navigation systems that can befuddle and flummox users. Or the computerized transmission systems that are designed to give better fuel economy, but feel like hesitating ninnies to consumers. Back to my own Honda Civid Hybrid, it has never run as well after its most recent software update.

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Think of that. As a part of routine maintenance now, I have to update my vehicle's firmware.

A team of university researchers has been able to hack into a car's warning systems via…
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Look, I love all the conveniences that modern automobiles afford. Love them. But there's a lot to be said for the old-school completely manual T-Bird or Buick or Volkswagon that can essentially be endlessly repaired with a wrench and a spark plug gapper a greasy old rag and some gumption.

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What do you think? Has the gadgetization of cars been an overall good thing, or do you yearn for simpler vehicles?